An Interview with Jason - Part I
An interview with Dallas Photographer, Jason Kindig
How did you get into photography?
As legend would have it, photographer in Dallas Jason Kindig’s first words were “Nikon,” and the obsession only grew from there... Well, it didn’t exactly happen that way, but my first camera was an old manual Nikon film camera. I loved that sucker, light leaks and all. What’s funny is that my career really seemed to start as an accident. I can see in hindsight that God was setting me up to be a photographer in Dallas the entire time, He just decided to do it in a fun way. So, the story: I originally wanted to be an architect, and there was a class conflict that happened when I signed up for design classes. Instead of learning about CAD, they put me in Home Economics. They baked slice and bake cookies the first day, and I was outta there. Boom. Just like that. My friend recommended I take a photography class, and I have been shooting ever since. All I’ve ever really done is mow lawns and take pictures.
What is your favorite thing to shoot?
OK, so there are a lot of great things that I get to shoot. One of my favorites has to be my 14-month old boy Jack, but that should almost go without saying. But he does have the best moments and expressions ever. Getting either his big open-mouth smile or the surly look will make you crack up, and certainly warms the heart of this Dallas Photographer. Plus I just love watching him develop and learn, and now I am getting off track. So as far as my favorite thing… I would say my favorite thing that I shoot professionally as a photographer in Dallas TX would have to be food. It really is a treat for me. Not only do I enjoy putting all of the elements to create a beautiful (and delicious looking) dish together, but I am a major foodie as well. So I carry such a fascination and respect for the art of making great food. If you watch any chef worth their salt, you really will see how they are artisans. I am a naturally curious person, so getting to learn about new dishes, a technique etc. is really exciting.
OK, so we know your favorite thing to shoot. What is one of the coolest shoots you’ve ever done as a photographer in Dallas?
Well after the last question I almost feel obligated to write about a really cool food shoot. However, this one dealt with the Texas Rangers. The ball club, not the law enforcement mind you. I can tell you those stories later. So it was a couple of years ago, when the Rangers were making their meteoric rise to the World Series. Nolan Ryan and Chuck Greenberg took over the team and we’re making things happen. I had a magazine assignment to get a photograph of the two of them together, which was almost impossible given the fact that they were on a World Series run. The only time we could get them together was at their World Series Gala, which was fine by me. I made the proper arrangements, and was all set to go, when they asked me the names of my two assistants that I would be bringing. Well I had only planned on bringing one, but I knew who the other would be. My brother-in-law is a diehard Rangers fan, and I had the chance to give him the experience of a lifetime. My actual assistant took care of everything, and I gave him a light on a stick to hold. He got to meet both Mr. Ryan and Mr. Greenberg, and being able to do that is one of my favorite memories as a photographer in Dallas. Plus I got a pretty cool portrait of the two men together, and since I’m a fan myself, it was just awesome.
Make sure you stay tuned for more questions, coming soon!